Impact of adiponectin concentration on endothelial vasomotor function in patients with type 2 diabetes

• Grant number: 20/05425-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: August 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Andrei Carvalho Sposito
• Grantee: Beatriz Martinelli Luchiari
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07607-8 - OCRC - Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continues to rise swiftly, while the disease represents an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease. The investigation of non-conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as low adiponectin levels is crucial in order to promote new approaches to the treatment of such individuals. Clinical studies that associate adiponectin levels with endothelial function in diabetics are scarce and of limited scope. In our project, we aim to assess if type 2 diabetics aged 40 to 70 years have an association between low levels of adiponectin and impaired vasodilation via FMD (flow-mediated dilatation), with accounting for confounding factors. A cross-sectional observational clinical study will be developed with volunteers with T2DM selected from the cohort Brazilian Diabetes Study. Patients will undergo endothelial vascular function assessment by FMD. Dosages of adiponectin and other plasmatic cytokines will be measured through the ELISA method. Patients will undergo blood test collection, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements and complementary exams. The calculation of the study sample size was performed via G-Power (version 3.1). Statistical analysis will be performed in SPSS 20, considering an analysis of significance for a value less than 0.05. Low serum adiponectin levels are expected to be associated to impaired vasodilation in FMD, indicating that hypoadiponectinemia is a prominent unconventional cardiovascular risk factor for early prediction of cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetics.